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The inhabitants of a small, remote island have been practicing voodoo rites and worshipping an evil priest named Damballah for years, but the local law officials generally turn a blind eye to this death cult's bizarre activities. Captain Labesch (Rafael Bertrand) arrives from the mainland, determined to crack down on the island's lawlessness and clean up the ineffectual, hard-drinking police force. He appeals for assistance from wealthy plantation tycoon Carl Van Molder (Boris Karloff), who owns nearly half of the island and wields a great deal of influence over the population. Van Molder has made the study of parapsychology his life's work and believes in the secret powers of the mind. He warns Labesch not to interfere with this forgotten island's ancient ways. Also visiting is Van Molder's niece, Annabella (Julissa), a temperance crusader who wants her uncle to help fund the International Anti-Saloon League. She falls in love with handsome police lieutenant Andrew Wilhelm (Carlos East), despite his fondness for rum. Meanwhile, beautiful native girls are being transformed into zombies, and a sinister snake dancer named Kalea (Tongolele) leads them to attack and devour any meddling policemen who get too close to their unholy rituals. When Annabella is kidnapped and prepared to be the cult's latest human sacrifice, Labesch and Wilhelm have to infiltrate their ranks to save her, and they finally learn the secret identity of the all-powerful Damballah. ~ Fred Beldin, Rovi
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Disc #1 -- Isle of the Snake People
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Video Featurette
Juan Ibañez Robert O'Neil Luis Enrique Vergara Jack Hill
Producers
Juan Ibañez Luis Enrique Vergara
Composers (Music Score)
Alice Uretta
Screen Writers
Juan Ibañez Robert O'Neil Jack Hill
Others
Art Director - Ray Markham
Cinematographer - Raul Dominguez
Cinematographer - Austin McKinney
Composer (Music Score) - Alice Uretta
Makeup - Louis Lane
Makeup - Jean Udko
Production Manager - J.L. Cerad
Special Effects - Ross Hahn
Horror icon Boris Karloff ended his career by appearing in four Mexican genre films which reached American audiences several years after his death and were seen primarily on TV late-late shows. 80 years old and suffering from arthritis and emphysema, the ailing actor's scenes for all four features were shot in 1968 over a two-week period in Los Angeles by exploitation director Jack Hill. The films were finished in Mexico by director Juan Ibanez, with Mexican casts that only occasionally interact with the old master. La Muerte Viviente (known in America under a plethora of other titles including The Snake People and Cult of the Dead) was the first finished product of this bizarre international horror series, and despite sensual snake dances, cannibalistic zombie girls, and genuine chicken decapitations, it remains the most sedate entry. This can be said only because each of these patchwork wonders is a masterpiece of schlock cinema, and the following three (which include "Chamber of Fear", House of Evil, and "Alien Terror") up the ante in terms of outrageous set pieces, insane action, and utter confusion. Karloff is a good sport, lending an air of class and sophistication to a movie that deserves none, and aside from a few obvious stand-ins, the integration of his scenes with the remainder of the production isn't bad. La Muerte Viviente won't scare anyone, but the sweaty, hallucinogenic voodoo of this sleazy horror show is fun and undeniably weird. ~ Fred Beldin, Rovi
